Campside Drop

Campside Pullover Drop Shoulder Sweater

What is Being Made

The Campside Pullover is a drop shoulder pullover sweater designed by Alicia Plummer. This knitted garment features a relaxed, comfortable fit intended to be worn with 3 to 6 inches of positive ease. The sweater is available in seven sizes, ranging from finished bust circumferences of 28 inches up to 60 inches, accommodating a wide range of body types and fit preferences. The drop shoulder construction creates a classic, timeless silhouette that works well for both everyday wear and layering.

Construction Technique

The Campside Pullover is constructed using a hybrid approach that combines circular and flat knitting. The sweater begins with a cast-on worked in the round, allowing the knitter to create seamless fabric from the bottom up through the body. At the armhole, the work is divided and continues flat, which simplifies shaping for the armholes and front neckline. The shoulders are then rejoined using a three-needle bind off, a technique that creates a strong, secure seam while eliminating the need for grafting. Sleeves and neckline are picked up from the existing stitches and worked downward, a method that reduces the number of seams and creates a more polished finish.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Campside Pullover is stockinette stitch, worked in the round on the body and flat on the upper sections. Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-shaped pattern on the right side. This fundamental knitting stitch is ideal for showcasing the qualities of the yarn and is appropriate for a beginner-level pattern, as it requires only knit and purl stitches worked in alternating rows or rounds.

Yarn and Materials

The Campside Pullover is designed to be knitted with DK weight yarn, specifically Julie Asselin Leizu DK. This yarn composition features 90 percent merino wool and 10 percent silk, offering a blend of warmth, breathability, and subtle sheen. Each skein provides 260 yards of yardage per 4 ounces. Total yardage requirements range from 800 yards for the smallest size to 1,750 yards for the largest size, allowing knitters to select appropriate quantities based on their chosen size.

The pattern calls for US 8 (5.0 mm) and US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles, each measuring 32 inches or longer, accommodating the in-the-round construction. Coordinating double-pointed needles are recommended if the knitter does not use the magic loop technique for working smaller circumferences. Additional notions include two stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, worked on the larger needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and proper fit. The sweater is designed to be worn with positive ease, meaning the finished bust circumference is intentionally larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement. The size 39-inch option is shown modeled with 6 inches of positive ease, providing a reference point for selecting the appropriate size based on desired fit.

Difficulty Level

The Campside Pullover is classified as a beginner-level knitting project. The pattern uses fundamental knitting techniques including cast-on, stockinette stitch, increases and decreases for shaping, and basic finishing methods. The three-needle bind off and picked-up stitches are techniques that beginners can learn through this project, making it an excellent choice for knitters developing their skills while creating a wearable, finished garment.